straub



0. l. STRAUB.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.25. 19|?.

Panfedmig. 12,1919.

2 SHEETS-fsHET 1.

0. l. STRAUB.

PBOJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.26, 1917.

PaIenIedAg. 12,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Y "fr:

' standing -that this term is intended to cover the invention,

more compactly l E STATES Osons. I. stratum,l or THE UNITED 'STATES ARMY.

rnoincmn clear,.and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artv to which it appertains to 'make and use the Same.

My resent invention relates to` improvements inprojectiles to be used in the manner of the well known chain shot. v

According to my invention I use a proj ectile provided with a spool on which one or more coils of wire or chain are wound. These coils of Wire or chain are wound on said spool in reverse directions from the central portion of the wire or chain, sothat after the spool is .discharged-from the gun and is given a rotary motion, caused -by the riiing ofi-the gun, the free ends of the wire will unwind in reverse directions from the spool, leaving the spool to continue on its flight. Y

Insteadof a single wire or chain wound on the spool, I may have a plurality of said wires or chains. I may have the wire or chain fly out centrifugally of its own weight,

or I may supplement this centrifugal action by attaching metal bars or weights to the free ends of the wire or chain, the'wire or chain serving as a bridle connecting the two bars or weights.

While either a wire or chain may be used in the apparatus hereinafter described, I prefer to thus a greater'weight may' be carried within the dimensions of the projectile, thus ermitting greater extension when uncoile For convenience of reference in the following specification and claims, I shall hereinafter use the term wire, with the undereither a wire or a chain.

` My invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar parts are indlcated by similar reference symbols throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of in which the detachable cap Specification of Letters Patent.

se the wire because it may be Y wound on the spool, and

Patented A ug. 12, 1ere.V

Application led December 26, 191'?.v Serial No. 208,873.l

as adapted for use at short ranges, which may be used with a fuse for Ylonger ranges is omitted, but is indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view: of the device shown in Fig. 1, with the detachable cap shown in dotted lines removed.

` Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the mode o winding the wire on the spool, the wire andthe spool being shown in-elevation, and the other parts shown in central vertical section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4; shows a sectionalong the line A-c' of Fig. 3, the wire being shown diagram` matically.

Fig. 5 shows the wire 'and the bars lat- 'tached to the ends thereof, after the wire has left the spool and the wire has been exthe projectile to be used like cannister, the

wire being also shown diagrammatically.

Fig. 7 shows a section along the line 7-7 'Y of Fig. 6, and looking down, the wire being shown in the properrelation.

Fig. 8 shows a form of the'invention in which three coils of wire are used, the wire.v

being shown diagrammatically, to illustrate the winding, and in which form the cap and base of the projectile are blown oill by burstg charges, the view being partly in section along the line 8,-8 of Fig. 9.

Fig, 9 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 8, with the cap of the projectile removed, the wire being shown in the proper relation.

Fig. l0 is a similar view to Fig. 9, but shows a'projectile provided with onlytwo coils of wire. Y

Fig. 11 shows -a similar projectile mainly in central vertical section, illustrating the device as applied -to a modified form of shrapnel; and A 12 and 13 show cross sections of w1re v disks the wire is coiled compactly, as shown ibn Fig. l and as diagrammatically shown in Spanning the disks 2 and 3 are the bars 5, which bars are detachablyV connected to vsaid disks 2 and 3, to .which bars are connected the ends 4d of the wires. These wires are shown in Figs. 1 to 4 of a single length, each length composed of two coils 4a and 4b (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3) wound in reverse directions and connected together by the loop 4c, the free ends 4d being secured in any suitable way to the bars 5. In order to provide suitable strength to withstand the shock of discharge when the projectile is fired from the gun, the disk 2 is reinforced by a suitable base piece 6, carrying the rotation band 7 adapted to engage the riiiing of the un, from which the projectile is fired. T 's base piece 6 is provided with a socket 6a to receive the lower ends of the bars 5, the upper ends of the bars projecting into a corresponding socket Sa in the cap 8 of the projectile carrying the fuse, when such cap is used.

This cap 8 is shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3, and in full lines in Fig. 8, but where it is desired to use the projectile lat very short range this cap is removed, the parts then being lines in Figs. 1 and 3.

In order to provide for the use of the projectile at close range, and without the cap, it will be desirable to temporarily secure the bars 5 to the disks 2 and 3, which may be done by tying the same with combustible flexible fastening means, such as the fusible wire 9 and 9a'. Instead of the fusible wire Some combustible connection may be used,

such as catgut, strong cord, or the 1ike,'

which is consumed `by the powder gases when the projectile is fired from the gun.

After the projectileis. fired, the centrifugal force imparted to the spoolwill cause the wire wound thereon to unwind in reverse directions at the same time the bars 5 will be thrown out by centrifugal force, and the bars and wire will assume the position shown in Fig. 5, and flying forward would injure the lighter parts of aeroplanes, such as the stays or the like, and would also tend to be caught in the propellers of the aeroplane,

thus seriously injuring the aircraft.

If it is desired to use the projectile at longer range, a time fuse arrangement may be used, such as is shown in Fig. 8, which will be hereinafter described.'

Referring now to F igs. 6 and 7, which show the wire diagrammatically, this construction is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1 t0 4, exce t that the spool is inclosed in a cylindrical shell 11, of thin metal, and the base piece 6 and the disk 2 are perforated, as at 12, to permit the powder gases to enter into the hollow portion of in the position as shown in fullV the cylinder 11, and blow the thin metal casing from the spool, and thus unmasking the wire when or shortly after the spool leaves the gun.

The ends le of the wire in this case are free, not being attached to any bars or weiglits,and in this case, of course, the wire should be sufficiently heavy to be thrown out by its own inertia under the action of centrifugal force imparted by the rifling of the gln- As before stated, in place of wire, coils of chain may be used, but I prefer to use wire on account of the fact that eater density of metal can be inclosed in t e casing 11 if wire be used than if chain be used.

For the sake of clearness in the drawings, I have shown the wire diagrammatically in Figs. 6 and 7, but, of course, the wire should 'be wound compactly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to' secure more compact winding, the wire should preferably be either rectangular, or have its cross section in the form of an equilateral triangle, as shown, respectively, in Figs. 12 and 13.

Not only do we sceure greater metal density for the projectile by having the wire in such cross section, but the wire is provided with cutting edges which tend to cut any object which it strikes at high velocity, whether the velocity bethat of the wire or that of the target.

It will be obvious that wire having its crosssection inthe form of a rectangular, or in the form of an equilateral triangle, can be wound into a compact mass on the spool.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, Fig. 8

shows a central vertical section through the projectile, the Wire, spindle and fuse being shown in elevation and the other parts in section. In this case there are three coils of wire, separated by washers 10, the ends of each coil of wire being connected to a corresponding pair of bars 5, so that after the projectile is fired. and the bars released, there will be three sets of bars and wires thrown out by centrifu al force.

The ends of t e bars 5 are preferably secured in the sockets in the base piece 6 and cap `8, and in order to releasethe bars and wires when desired, the cap 8 is blown oil at a predetermined time and range by means of the powder charge 13 contained in the cap and ignited by the time fuse 14.

The spindle 1 is hollow and filled with powder, and carries the flame, through the channel 6", to the bursting charge 15 in the base piece 6. The explosion of the powder charge 13 will blow the cap olf, thus releas- Y ing the bars 5, and then the powder charge 15 will blow the disk 2 loose, permitting the bars to be thrown outward and the coils to uncoil and spread out in the position shown in Fig. 5. While the wire is shown coiled diagrammatically in Fig. 8, it would, of

in Fig. 8 at very be removed in, which event, in order to hold the forward ends of the bars to ether until the projectile leaves thegun', t e opposite bars areconnected by the fusible wires 9, or other combustible connection, such as catgut, or the like, already described in connec# -tion with Figs. 1 to 4;

f verse directions,

i 8 explodes,

It will only be necessary to hold together the upper ends of the bars, for the lower ends will be held temporarily yin their sock- Y ets inthe base piece 6, but after the projec- 'tile 4leaves the gun the bars 'will tend to liy outward under the action of centrifugal force, and when their upper ends are freed, will become disengaged from the base piece,

which will be pressed backward by the resistance of the air, and the' bars will iy outward together withthe coils of wire, each coil with its corresponding pair of bars finally assuming the position` shown in' Fig. 5. Y

^ In Figs. 8 and 9, I have shown three coils of wire with six bars, while in Fig. 10 I'have only, each coil of wire being coiled in reerence to Figs. 3 and 6. Referring now to Fig.. 11, which shows the idea as applied to a modified form of shrapnel, andin which the Wire is also shown diagrammatically as' a single coil wound in reverse directions on the spool, 8 represents the cap of theprojectile similar to that shown in Fig.'-`8,"and having a time fuse 14 similar to that shown in Fig. 8. This cap 8 and the base piece 6 are both screwed to the cy'indrical shell 16 of the shrapnel, and the spindle lis hollow and transmits the flame vfrom the bursting charge in the cap 8 to the bursting charge 17 in the basepiece 6.

When the bursting charge 13 in the cap it will blow the cap ofi', and the bursting charge 17 will tend to throw vthe spool forward whether the shell 16 bursts or not, and this will'v cause the wire to be projected forward atA a greater velocity than it already has, especianot burst. A

The ends 4a' of the wire in this case are shown as free, and the wire should be of sufficient mass to act'as an eiective projectile. `JAs previously stated, chain may be used in place of wire, if desired, but I preferfto use wire for reasons already stated. Y

It will thus be seen that in Figs.` 1 to 4, I provide a projectile which may be used eithevr at very close range, be'applied may be usedat Aany desired range within the power of the gun;

as fully -described with vref-Y 4of a suitable time fuse,

y if the shell 16 does or if the fuse cap while in Fig. 6

the device isshown'as capable of use at -very short ranges only, like cannister.

In Fig. 8, the projectile more strictly corresponds to the modernl shot having a low bursting charge; while in Fig. 11' thedevice -is somewhat similar to shrapnel. Y

It will be obvious that if the wire be straight and wound on the spool, it will tend to unwind due to 'its own resiliency, and,

the angular edges cutting until ready to-be released from the spool,

either by means of the bars 5 to which they are attached as shown in Figs; l' to 5 and 8 to l0, or the free ends of the wire are held bythe containing shell as shown in Figs. 6,Y

7 and 11'. The projectile is especiallyA adapted for use at very close range, against IaerOplaneS,

or .other aircraft, vand is also especially adapted at very close range for use against the periscopes of submarines, and also against wire' entanglements. It may obviously be used at longer ranges bythe use operating a bursting charge for the projectile.

.While I have shown a single length of wire in FigsQlto 4, Fig. 6, and Fig. 11, two lengths of wire in Fig. 10 andy three lengths of wire in Figs. 8 and 9, it will be obvious that. the numberrof lengths of wire or chain may be varied to suitYthe size of the projectile, the cross section of the wire or cham used, and other conditions, and I do not mean to limit myself t any particular niun-d lier of coils of wire or chain.

It will be obvious that the bars 5 may extend over a considerable arc of the cylindrical surfaoeof the mass of wire mounted between said bars and the axis of the spool;

- thus securing greater'weight and strength and forming a more complete retainer forl the wire coils. It will be obvious also that various other changes might be made inthe construction, combination and arrangement of parts which could be' used without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not mean t0 limit the invention to such details except as particularly pointed out in the claims. A

Having thus described'my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A projectilecomprising a base member Thus the wire will be vdrawn ico and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting arotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire wound from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of sa id spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool.

2. Aprojectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire wound from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with a pair of bars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of said wire. 3. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire rectangular in cross sectionA and having its two ends wound closely from the end of said spool in one direction toward the'center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool.

4. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool means for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire rectangular in cross section and having its two ends wound closely from the end ofV said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with a pair of bars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and secured respectively to the fore ends of said wire.

5. A projectile comprising a base member anda cap, with avspindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool,^'means for imparting a rotary motion to said spool 'about the axis of said spindle, and a plurality of coils`of wire each coil wound from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool. c

6. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a plurality of coils of wire each coil wound from the end of said. spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then -in reversed direction toward the'opposite end of said spool, with pairsof' bars detzichably connected to said cap and base member, and

secured respectively tothe free ends of said `coils of wire. A

T. A projectile comprising a base inember and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotary -motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a plurality of coils of wire rectangular in cross section and each coil having its two ends wound closely from the end of said spool in one direction toward ythe center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool.

8. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two1 thus constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a plurality of coils of wire rectangular in cross section, 1

then in reversed direction toward the opev posite end of said spool, with pairs of bars detachalbly connected to said cap and base member, and securedrespectively to the free ends of said coils of wire.

9. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotary motion to saidV spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire wound romthe end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversedA4 direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with means operated by the explosion. of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the action vof centrifugal force. i

10. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constitutinga spool, meansfor im.

.of the .gun for releasing the Vfree Vends of vsaid wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the'action of centrifugal force,

Y11. A project-ile comprising a base mem-- ber and a cap, with a spindle connectingthe two, thus constltutinga spool, means for imparting a rotary' motion to said spool aboutA the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire rectangular 1n cross section and having its two ends wound closely from theyend of said `spool inl one direction toward the centerA of said spool, and `then in reversed direction toward the opposite. end of said spool,

withmeans operated by the explosion of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the action Aof centrifugal force.

12. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotory motion to said spool about the axis lof said spindle, and a coil of wire rectangular in cross section and'having its two ends wound closely from, theV end of said spool in one direction toward -the center 'of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with a pair of bars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of-said wire, with means operated by the explosion of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wireand `causing it to un- Lwind Jfrom said spool under centrifugal force.

13( A projectile comprising a base memy Vber and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a, spool, 'means vfor imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axisof said spindle, and.- a plurality of coils of wire each coil wound'ro'm' .the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and Athen in reversed direction toward the vopposite end of `said spool, with means operated by thef explosion of the propelling kcharge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire and-causing it to unwind from said spool under tle action of centrifugal force.

14. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with -a Vspindle connecting thevtwo, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting arotary motion to said spool' about the axis of said spindle, and a pluralityoE-coils of Wire each coil wound Jfrom the end of said spool' in one direction towardthe center of said spool, and then in land causing under the action of centrifugal fonce.

reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with`- pairs of bars detachably connected to said cap and [base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of said coils of wire, with means operated by the expiosionof fthe propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire it to unwind from said spool 15. A projectile comprising a fbase mem'- ber Aand a cap, with a, spindle connectingv the Itwo, thus constituting 'a ,spoolfmeans for imparting a rotary motion-to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a plu-A rality orf-coils of wire rectangular in cross section andy eachlcoil having its two ends wound closely :from the end. of said spool in the action of one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction tomeans operated by the explosion of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the action of centrifugal force. Y

" 16. A projectile comprising a base mem- .ber' and `a cap, with a, spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a 'plurality of coils of wire rectangular in cross section and each coil having its two ends Vward fthe opposite end of said spool, with wound closely fromthe end o said spool in one direction towardl )the center 'of said spool, j and then' in reversed direction toward vtheI `opposite end of said spool, with vpairs of bars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of said coils of wire, with. means operated by the explosion `of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the ac'- tion oflcentrifugal force.

17. A projectile comprising abase member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the thus constituting aspool, a base piece connected to said spool adapted to withstand the shock of discharge, a soft metal rifiing band carried. fby said'spool for imthev axis of said' spindle, 'and a coil of-Wire wound from the end of Said spool in one divimparting a rotary motionv to said spool about the axis of saidY spindle, and a coil of Wire wound from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the Vopposite end of said spool, with a palr parting a rotary motion to said'spoolabout of bars detachably connected to said cap and'base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of vsaid wire.

19.'V A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the tWO, thus constituting a spool, a rbase piece connected to said spool adapted to withr stand the shock of discharge, a soft metal riiiing band' carried by 'said spool for im-r parting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a-coil of wlre rectangular in-cross section and having its two ends wound closel from the end of said .spool in one direction-toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool.

20. A projectile comprising a basemember and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, a base piece connected to vsaid spool adapted to ywithstand the shock vof discharge, a soft metal riing band carried by said spool for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis-ofsaid spindle, and a coil of wire rectangular in cross section and having its two ends wound closely from the end of said spool in one direction toward the ceny ter of said spool, and then in reversed directi'on toward the opposite end of said spool, with a pair of'bars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of said wire.

2l. A projectile comprising a base rnemerated by the explosion of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends.

of said wire and causing it to unwind from ald spool under the action of centrifugal orce.

22. A projectile comprising a base meni-A ber and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, a base prece connected to .said spool adapted to wlthstand the shockv of discharge, a soft metal riing band carried by said spool for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of Asaid spindle, and a Coil owire wound from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center ofsaid spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposlte end of said spool, with a pair or bars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and. secured respectively 4to the free ends of said wire, with means operated by the` explosion of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the action of centrifugal force.

23. A projectile comprising a base membefand a cap, with a) spindle connecting Vthe two, thus constituting a spool, a base piece connected to said spool adapted to withstand the shock of discharge, a soft metal riling band carried by said spool for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about/the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire rectangular in cross section and having its two ends wound closely from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with means operated bythe eX- plosion of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the action of centrifugal force. l

24. A projectile comprising a` base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, a base piece connected to said spool adapted to withstand the shock of discharge, a soft metal riling band carried by said spool for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire rectangular in cross section and hav ing its two ends wound closely from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end 0f,

said spool, with a pair ofvbars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of said wire, with means operated by the explosion of the propelling charge of the gun for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said l'spool under the action of centrifugal force.

25. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus' constituting a spool, means for imparting a rotary .motion to 'said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire angular in cross section wound from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the oppositeend of said spool.

26'. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connectlng the two, thus constituting a spool, -means for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of-said spindle, and a coil of wie angular in cross section wound from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with a pair of bars detachably connected tosaid cap and base member, and secured respectively to thefreeends of said w1re.

27. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap', with a spindle-connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, a base piece connected to said spool adapted to withstand the shock of discharge, a soft metal rifiing band carried by said spool for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle,'a nd 'a coil of wire wound from, the end of said spool inone direction toward the center ofV said spool, and then 'in reversed direction toward the opposite endY` of said spool, and infuse and powder charge Y the action of centrifugal force.

28. A projectile comprising a base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, a base piece connected to said spool adapted to withstand theshock of discharge, a softnnetal riiing band carried by said spool for\imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire wound from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center'of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with a pair of bars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of said wire, and a. fuse and powder charge for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the action of centrifugal force.

29. A projectile comprisinga base member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting a spool, a-base piece connected to said spool adapted to withstand the shock of discharge, a soft metal rifiing band carried by said spool for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire angular in cross section and having its two ends wound closely from the end of said spool in one direction toward the center of said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, and-a fuse and powder charge for releasing the free ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the action of centrifugal force.`

30. A projectile comprising a base 'member and a cap, with a spindle connecting the two, thus constituting aspool, a 'base piece connected to said spool adapted to withstand the shock of discharge, a soft metal riing band carried by said spool for imparting a rotary motion to said spool about the axis of said spindle, and a coil of wire angular in cross section and having its two ends wound closely from the end of said spool in one direction. toward the centerof said spool, and then in reversed direction toward the opposite end of said spool, with a pair of bars detachably connected to said cap and base member, and secured respectively to the free ends of said wire, and a fuse and powder charge'or releasing the free' ends of said wire and causing it to unwind from said spool under the action of centrifugal force.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

Y OSCAR I, STRAUB. 

